Hundreds of fishermen dock at NSC for Bass Expo

The Minnesota Bass Expo, an inaugural event owned by the National Sports Center (NSC), gave fishermen an opportunity April 20-22 to preview the latest tackle, electronics, gear and boats, just ahead of the opening of fishing season.

Nearly 100 booths representing some 150 different companies docked at the NSC sports hall for the weekend event.

“This is not just a bass show,” said expo director Greg Savino before the event began. “We have every major fishing company attending the show, making products for walleye, pike, trout and muskie fishing, as well as bass, of course.”

There seemed to be something for everyone, from spinners and lures to rods and reels, boats and ATVs – even some samples of jewelry were on display.

“This was very well done and these are great numbers for the first year of the expo. Can’t wait to be back here next year,” said Jay Carlson, Thorne Brothers vendor who manned a booth at the expo.

This guy’s a real fishing fanatic, wearing his passion for fishin’ on the back of his head. Luke DeFlorin of Mora showed off fishing equipment in the Thorne Brothers booth at the Minnesota Bass Expo staged at the National Sports Center’s indoor sports hall April 20-22.

Boats docked inside the sports hall gave bass fishermen a look at the latest in fishing vessels.

Trent Guffin, Jay Carlson and Gary Lake take a mid-afternoon break alongside spinner baits, rods and reels on display during day two of the three-day Minnesota Bass Expo. Hundreds of bass fishermen stopped by the expo, a premiere event for the venue. Next year the Bass Expo will be held in the National Sports Center’s brand new Sport Expo Center.

Hunter and Tyler DeWall and Thomas Nelson imagine fast fishing action as they sit in the swamp buggy docked at the National Sports Center’s indoor sports hall during the April 20-22 Minnesota Bass Expo.